As Maine’s population ages and healthcare shortages become more visible, one founder is stepping up with a solution that truly matters. Heather Fogg, BSN, RN, CFCS, Founder and Owner of Fundamental Foot Care, is reshaping the way preventive healthcare reaches seniors and individuals with chronic conditions across Maine.
And it all started with a chance connection at a Tuesday Forum.
When Heather heard about UpStart Maine, she immediately recognized alignment. Like so many mission-driven entrepreneurs, she wasn’t building “just a business”—she was building a statewide resource at exactly the moment Maine needed it most.
The Problem: Preventative Foot Care Is Overlooked—But Essential
Many people don’t realize how critical routine foot care is until mobility declines, infections develop, or complications escalate. In Maine, the stakes are especially high.
Why Foot Care Matters
- Prevents infections and ulcers
- Reduces mobility issues
- Supports people with diabetes and circulatory conditions
- Helps avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and amputations
With a statewide shortage of podiatrists, mirroring a growing national trend, preventative foot care often gets pushed aside. Patients wait too long for appointments, caregivers struggle to find support, and seniors may simply go without care altogether.
Heather saw the consequences firsthand while working as a medical-surgical nurse—caring for patients before and after amputations.
That experience sparked the question that would later become her mission: “How many of these cases could have been prevented with simple, consistent care?”
The Solution: Fundamental Foot Care’s Statewide Impact
In 2019, Heather founded Fundamental Foot Care, a medically based foot-care service designed to fill this critical gap. Today, the impact is undeniable.
What Makes Fundamental Foot Care Different?
✔ National Certification
Her team is nationally certified through the American Footcare Nurses Association, ensuring evidence-based, high-quality care for Maine communities.
✔ Serving Bangor, Portland, and Beyond
With a mobile-care model and clinic-based appointments, Fundamental Foot Care brings access directly to:
- Private homes
- Long-term care facilities
- Community spaces and local clinics
✔ Mobile + Clinical Care Options
This flexible model removes transportation barriers and makes care accessible for seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals with chronic health conditions.
✔ Training and Community Clinics
Heather also trains nurses and runs low-cost community clinics—expanding access for Mainers who need care but may not be able to afford it.
This combination of clinical expertise, mobility, and community focus has positioned Fundamental Foot Care as a vital resource in the Bangor region, the Portland metro area, and surrounding Maine communities.
The Founder Behind the Mission
Heather’s journey isn’t the typical “straight line” into healthcare entrepreneurship.
She spent 20 years in the auto industry, later managed group homes, and eventually became a nurse. Each career step shaped her understanding of compassion, care, and human need. Those experiences also gave her something many healthcare professionals lack: a deeply grounded, people-first approach.
Her work as a medical-surgical nurse became the turning point. Seeing preventable complications up close gave her the clarity—and the courage—to create something better.
Today, Heather’s purpose is simple but powerful:
“Prevent suffering before it starts.”
UpStart Maine is proud to support founders like Heather who combine passion with innovation, especially in sectors where the need is urgent and the impact is measurable.
How UpStart Maine Supports Founders Like Heather
After joining the UpStart network, Heather immediately tapped into a statewide community of mentors, coaches, and fellow entrepreneurs. These connections are designed to help founders level up—whether they need strategy, clarity, confidence, or a strong support network.
UpStart Maine meets entrepreneurs exactly where they are and helps them move forward with purpose and momentum.
Heather’s Advice for Maine Entrepreneurs
Her guidance is simple—and speaks directly to anyone dreaming of turning an idea into a business:
“Be passionate about your business and what you’re offering. Be a continuous student—never stop learning and bettering yourself and what you have to offer.”
This mindset is part of what makes Heather a standout founder. It’s also what helps businesses thrive long beyond the startup phase.
Ready to Grow Your Business in Maine? UpStart Is Here.
If you’re a founder with a vision—whether you’re just starting out or scaling up—UpStart Maine is ready to help you take your next step.
Take Action Today
- Connect with mentors who understand your journey
- Build relationships with other Maine entrepreneurs
- Get support tailored to your business stage
- Gain the momentum you need to grow stronger, faster
Reach out to Lisa Liberatore, Program Manager, UpStart Maine
📩 Email: innovation@upstartmaine.org
Your next stage begins with one conversation—and we’re here to walk it with you.
If you have questions or need guidance, we’re here to help. Contact us at innovation@upstartmaine.org
UpStart’s mission is to be the Bangor Region’s innovation hub that connects entrepreneurs statewide with resources to grow their businesses.
For more information on UpStart, contact innovation@upstartmaine.org